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The legend of John Henry gets a musical tribute Friday at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the University of Maryland, College Park campus.

The story, which some historians say may be based in fact, is that there was a race between a man named John Henry and a steam hammer while building the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway during the late 1800s. Henry, who may have been a slave or a prisoner, is said to have beaten the machine, but died after he did. The Norwegian band Trio Mediaeval is scheduled to join the Bang on a Can All-Stars for their show, "Steel Hammer," at 8 p.m. Friday for a tribute to Appalachian music, including a look at the legend of John Henry. The tale has inspired scores of songs, from artists ranging from Aaron Copland to Bruce Springsteen.

The show takes place in the Dekelboum Concert Hall. Tickets are $37, $9 for students. Call 301-405-ARTS.

For the second straight semester, there is an abundance of opera talent on the University of Maryland, College Park campus. Therefore, the Maryland Opera Studio plans to showcase that talent with two different operas.

One of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's earliest operas, "La Finta Giardiniera," is being staged in repertory with Gaetano Donizetti's and Felice Romani's "L'elisir d'amore" through Tuesday in the Kay Theatre of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $21, $9 for students. Call 301-405-ARTS.

Prince George's Philharmonic plans its second show of this season at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie.

The program includes Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis; Ravel's piano concerto in G Major; Debussy's Petite Suite; Britten's Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes; Op.33a. Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors. Ages 18 and younger are free with one paid adult admission.